Two-door cage trap with over-center set mechanism

ABSTRACT

A cage-type animal trap with two opposed animal access openings that can operate in a one-door-opening configuration or a two-door-opening configuration. The trap has a set mechanism for holding one or both doors open to allow access through the corresponding trap access openings. The set mechanism includes a set lever that is movable from a set position to a tripped position and that is coupled to the doors of the trap by an actuating member. Upon actuation, the set lever moves from the set to the tripped position to allow movement of the actuating member which enables one of the doors to move from an opened position to a closed position when the trap is operating in a one-door-opening configuration, and both of the doors to move from the opened position to the closed position when the trap is operating in the two-door-opening configuration.

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. Ser.No. 14/153,921 filed Jan. 13, 2014, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 9,420,777on Aug. 23, 2016, which was a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/594,257filed Aug. 24, 2012, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 8,627,595 on Jan. 14,2014, which was a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/317,653 filed Oct.25, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,250,802 on Aug. 28, 2012, which was acontinuation application of U.S. Ser. No. 12/292,218 filed Nov. 13,2008, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 8,046,953 on Nov. 1, 2011, which was acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 11/600,085 filed Nov. 16, 2006,issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 7,757,427 on Jul. 20, 2010, the priority ofwhich is hereby claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cage-type animal traps of the kind generallyused outdoors for trapping small to medium sized animals without harmingthe trapped animal. Such traps commonly comprise a cage of metal wiremesh or the like with a door held open by a trigger mechanism until ananimal is lured into the trap by suitable pre-inserted bait. After theanimal enters the interior of the trap, the animal's weight pressedagainst the trigger actuates a trip which releases and closes the door,thereby trapping the animal inside the cage.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Cage traps of the prior art have specific setting and releasingmechanisms which typically consist of a pan, a trigger rod, a latchingdevice, a door, a locking device and sometimes a spring member. To setthe trap, the locking device must be disengaged. A door is then openedand a latch is set. The location of each of these components on the traprequires the use of two hands. In order to release the trapped animal,once again the locking device must be disengaged, the door must beopened and the latch set. Again, these steps require the use of twohands and involve close contact with the animal. There is thus a needfor a cage-type trap that provides the user with an easy, essentiallyone-handed method of setting the trap. There is also a need for acage-type trap where the user can easily release a trapped animalwithout subjecting the user to close contact with the trapped animal.

Another problem with the prior art cage traps is the complexity andunreliability of the trigger or actuation mechanism used to initiate thedoor closure. With prior art designs having complicated settingstructures, the force required to trip the trap can vary. This resultsin either a failure to capture the animal, if the required force is toogreat, or false trips due to a lack of stability in the set position.Complex trigger or actuation mechanisms also make it difficult to setthe traps and increases the risk of malfunction. There is thus a needfor a cage trap that provides trigger mechanism having a simplemechanical design which is easy to set, consistent in trip force, andreliable in use.

The foregoing problems also arise with two-door traps, creating a needfor a two-door-opening trap that can be reliably and consistently setwithout close contact with the animal and while essentially requiringonly one hand. A further advantageous capability for which there is aneed is a two-door-opening trap that can be selectively used by the userin both one-door-opening and two-door-opening configurations.

It is to the solution of these and other problems that the presentinvention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to one-door and two-door cage-typeanimal traps that include a wire mesh animal enclosure made up of abase, a pair of opposed sidewalls emanating from the base, a rear wall,secured to the sidewalls and the base, a roof secured to the tops of thesidewalls and the rear wall, and a front end provided with an animalaccess opening defined by the base, sidewalls, and roof.

In a single-door-opening embodiment of the trap, a door is movablymounted at the front end and operates in an opened position to reveal ananimal access opening and in a closed position to block the animalaccess opening. A torsion spring operatively connected to a locking yokeurges the door toward its closed position. The door is held in its openposition by an over-center-type set mechanism which is mounted on theroof and includes a cable assembly that extends to a point of connectionon the door.

In addition to the cable assembly, the over-center set mechanism furtherincludes a set mechanism platform attached to the roof with atransversely extending set lever bracket mounted thereon. A generallyU-shaped set lever is pivotally coupled to both ends of the bracket soas to be movable through slightly more than 180 degrees from one side ofthe bracket in the set position to the other side of the bracket in thetripped position. Generally centered on the set lever is a lever gripthat can be grasped by a user when setting the trap to facilitateplacement of the set lever in the set position. The grip also ensuresthat the cable end opposite the door connection, which is attached tothe set lever, is prevented from sliding left or right on the lever. Theover-center set mechanism is coupled to a trip mechanism for initiatingactivation of trap closure.

The trip mechanism is in the form of a bait pedal movably mounted in theanimal enclosure with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedaland to the over-center set mechanism. When an animal enters the animalenclosure, the weight of the animal moves the pedal which causes thetrip rod and link assembly connected thereto to move and initiaterotation of the set lever. The connections between the trip rod and linkassembly and the set lever are preferably metal-on-metal for repeatablefrictional behavior. Once the set lever has pivoted from the setposition beyond a point of equilibrium, i.e., over center, the weight ofthe door and the spring force of the torsion spring provided through thecable causes the set lever to rotate. This movement, in turn, moves thedoor from the opened position to the closed position, thereby trappingthe animal in the animal enclosure.

A handle is mounted on the set mechanism platform in about the center ofthe trap and extends longitudinally with the length of the trap. In onepreferred embodiment that allows the handle to be centered, the cableattachment point on the grip is offset relative to the center of the setlever so that the cable lies along one side of the handle.

According to a two-door-opening embodiment of the trap, the handle isfurther provided with a slot passing longitudinally through the handlemounting bases of the handle, which bases are attached to the setmechanism platform. A second cable assembly extends to a point ofconnection on the second door, passes through the slot and then isredirected 180 degrees, defining a curved portion, to connect to the setlever next to the connection point of the first cable. To open thesecond door along with the first door when setting the trap, the curvedportion of the second cable is first looped over a cable guide mechanismmounted on the top of the trap between the set mechanism platform andthe front edge of the trap adjacent the first door. The cable guidemechanism then acts as a pulley to assist in tensioning the second cableand raising the second door when the set lever is moved to the setposition. At the same time, the first cable mechanism acts to raise thefirst door in the same manner as in the single-door-opening trap. Thetwo-door-opening trap can selectively be operated as a one-door-openingtrap by not engaging the second cable with the cable guide mechanism inwhich case only the first door is raised when the set lever is placed inthe set position.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide one-door andtwo-door cage traps demonstrating mechanical simplicity for ease ofsetting the trap and having reliable stability once set.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide cage trapshaving pivot points that demonstrate consistent frictional behavior toenable highly repeatable tripping of the trap at an essentially constanttrigger force level.

It is another object of the present invention to provide cage trapswhich can be safely and easily set, and from which a trapped animal canbe safely and easily released, by the user using only one hand.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide cage trapshaving a simplified mechanism for safely and easily setting the trapfrom a stable centered position on the trap.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide cagetraps having an improved mechanism for safely and easily releasing ananimal from the trap from a stable centered position on the trap.

It is yet another objection of the present invention to provide a cagetrap having two openable doors which can be set selectively to operateas either a one-door or a two-door trap.

Additional objects of the invention include, for example, the provisionof one door and two-door cage traps which are durable, reliable and userfriendly, which are animal friendly and which trap the animal safely ina humane manner, and which can be manufactured from readily availablecomponents and in a cost-effective manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of thisspecification including the accompanying drawings. While intending toillustrate the invention, the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a one-door embodiment of the presentinventive trap in a tripped position with the door of the trap closed.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of area A of FIG. 1, depicting the torsionspring as installed to bias the locking yoke against the door.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a torsion spring used to bias the doorof the trap of FIG. 1 toward its closed position.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the cable assembly connected between theset mechanism and the door in the trap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the over-center set mechanism of thetrap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the over-center set mechanism of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the set lever used in the over-centerset mechanism of FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the over-center set mechanism used insetting the trap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing the set condition of the over-center setmechanism of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing the balanced condition of the over-centerset mechanism of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing the tripped condition of the over-centerset mechanism of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the trip rod and linkassembly used in the trap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an over-centerset mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an over-centerset mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an over-centerset mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a two-door-opening trap shown in thetripped condition in accordance with the present invention, with anover-center set mechanism of the type shown and described in FIGS. 1 and4.

FIG. 15B is another perspective view of the trap shown in FIG. 15A andfrom the same side, illustrating the slack in the cables when the trapis not set.

FIG. 15C is a perspective view of the trap shown in FIG. 15B from theopposite side.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the trap of FIG. 15 just prior to beingset in the two-door-opening configuration.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the trap of FIG. 16 in the setcondition.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the trap of FIG. 15 in the setcondition of the one-door-opening configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustratedin the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake ofclarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that eachspecific element Includes all technical equivalents that operate in asimilar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

As shown in FIG. 1, a one-door cage trap of the present invention,generally designated by reference numeral 10, includes a box-like cagehaving an elongated base 12 and corresponding roof 14 and opposedsidewalls 16 and 18 preferably formed and folded from a single piece ofwire mesh. The sidewalls extend between the longitudinal edges 20 and 22of the base 12 and the longitudinal edges 24, 26 of the roof 14 todefine planes that are essentially parallel to each other. The base androof are also essentially parallel with one another. The rear of thetrap is closed by a rear wall 28 which is secured to the base 12, roof14 and sidewalls 16, 18 by attachment elements 30.

In the embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 1, the base 12, roof14 and side walls 16, 18 include wire elements welded at their crossingpoints to form generally rectangular apertures 36, with the side wallsbent up and down at substantially right angles from the base and roof,respectively. The rectangular apertures 36 are approximately 1″ square.

Alternatively, the cage structure can include a base and two upwardlyextending sidewalls to which are mounted an elongated cover or roof 40which may preferably be stamped from sheet metal (see FIGS. 12-14). Therectangular roof generally consists of a piece of sheet metal formed toprovide edges that bend over the corresponding wire of the trap body.Cage traps of this type are known, as representatively set forth incopending application, U.S. Ser. No. 11/097,195 (also assigned to theassignee of this application), which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein as if set forth in its entirety.

In order to hold an animal within the enclosure, a trap door mechanism,generally designated by reference numeral 44, is provided that includesen elongated door 46 preferably made of sheet metal. The upper portionof the door 46 is pivotally connected to the roof by bent tabs 48. Theend of the trap on which the door is mounted is herein referred to asthe forward end, while the end adjacent the rear wall is the rearwardend.

A door lock plate 50 is positioned horizontally and secured along thelower edge 52 of the door panel. Alternatively, the lock plate 50 couldbe an integral component of the door 46 if stamped or otherwise formedin the door. A U-shaped locking wire yoke 60 has a lower portion 62which wedges up against, the corner created by the upper edge 64 of thedoor lock plate 50 and the outer surface 54 of the door when the door isin the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. The ends 66 and 68 of theyoke are rotatably coupled to the sidewalls 16, 18 through door pivotplates 70 and retained by retaining elements 72.

A torsion wire spring 74, shown installed in the enlarged view of FIG.1A and alone in FIG. 2, is provided to bias the yoke 60 in a downwarddirection toward the door. One end of the yoke 60 is inserted into thecenter opening 73 of the torsion spring coil 75, with one arm 71 of thetorsion spring engaging the yoke 60 and the other arm 77 of the torsionspring deflected and engaging the roof 14. In this configuration thespring 74 forces the yoke against the door.

The bottom portion 76 of the door lock plate 50 contains a hole (notshown) which receives one end of a cable assembly, generally designatedby the reference numeral 78, as shown in FIG. 3. The cable assembly 78includes a cable 80 that passes through the hole of plate SO and isprevented from pulling back out by a plug 82 secured to thedoor-connecting end of the cable. From the plug 82, the cable 80 passesbeneath the lower portion 62 of the yoke 60 and over the outer surface54 of the door 46 in an upward direction to pass over the top of supportwire 84 and above the roof 14. The end of the cable opposite thedoor-connecting end has an eyelet 86 coupled thereto for attachment tothe set lever as hereafter described.

An over-center set mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral90 and shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, is mounted on top of the roof14 and includes a set mechanism platform 92 secured to the longitudinaledges 24, 26 of the roof 14 by flange tabs 94 that are bent to encirclecorresponding portions of the wire mesh. A transversely extending setlever bracket 96 is mounted on the platform 92. The bracket 96 includestwo upwardly extending arms 98, 99 adjacent the ends of the bracket,respectively, with each arm 98, 99 having a substantially circular hole100 therethrough.

A generally U-shaped set lever 102 is pivotally coupled at each end tothe arms 98, 99 of the bracket 96 so as to be movable through slightlymore than 180 degrees, from a rearward position on one side of thebracket to a forward position on the other side of the bracket. Apreferred embodiment of the set lever is shown in FIG. 6. As will bediscussed hereinafter, the trap may be operatively designed with the setlever moving less than 180 degrees such that movement of the lever fromone side of the bracket to the other is not necessary.

Specifically, other configurations in which the set lever is movablethrough a lesser or greater range of motion may be constructed, as wouldbe understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. In sum, theamount of angular movement required depends on the cable travel neededto open the door from the closed position and the radial distancebetween the set lever axis and the point where the cable attaches to theset lever. More particularly, the required angle through which the setlever must travel is the difference between the set position, in whichthe door is open, and the point in the travel of the set lever at whichthe door is closed such that the cable is no longer under tension.Travel beyond this angle does not result in further door movement butmerely increases the degree of slack in the cable. Some degree of slackmay be beneficial from a practical standpoint as it increases themanufacturing tolerances, thus reducing the dimensional precisionrequired for the components. A cable length that is about one inchlonger than the minimum required length is preferred. Longer cables can,of course, be used with the understanding that there will be a greaterdegree of cable slack in the door-closed position.

In practical terms, the disclosed configuration in which the set levertravels through approximately 180 degrees is optimal, since thisgeometry allows for the smallest set lever radius, i.e., the smallestradial distance between the set lever axis and the cable attachmentpoint on the set lever. The disclosed set lever configuration alsoallows for the lowest trap profile since the set lever can rest nearlyflat against the roof in the tripped condition. This angular movement ofthe set lever does not, however, require that cable be tensioned througha corresponding distance. Instead, the “active” range of cable travel inwhich the cable is tensioned and actually controlling door movement canbe much smaller than the total travel of the set lever.

Manual movement of the set lever 102 is facilitated by a set lever grip104 that is mounted on the lever. The grip 101 has a central channel 105for receiving the yoke portion of the U-shaped lever 102 and an insetchannel 106 for accommodating the eyelet 86 coupled to the leverattachment end of the cable 80. The cable assembly is attached to thelever by passing the lever through the eyelet 86. The grip is thenmounted on the lever and secured in place by screws or the like. Thecable 80 is thus prevented from sliding along the lever throughcontainment thereof within the channel 106 in the grip 104. The cableassembly is tensioned by the spring-to-close bias of the door asprovided by the torsion spring 74, as well as the weight of the doorwhen the door is open.

The lever 102 includes first and second straight leg portions 114 and116 at respective ends thereof that extend outwardly and have agenerally cylindrical shape for passing through the holes 100 in thearms 98, 99 of the bracket 96. The first straight leg portion 114 isprevented from disengaging axially from its respective arm by aretaining element 118. The second straight leg portion 116 includes acrank arm portion 115 and is pivotally connected to a trip mechanism,generally designated by reference numeral 120, for initiating activationof trap closure.

The lever 102 has an “over-center” action during setting and trippingthat enables the over-center set mechanism 90 to operate reliably andrepeatably. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the pivot axis 122 of the setlever 102, along with the tension vector of the cable 80, defines aregion of free travel 126 and a roughly symmetric region 128 wheretravel is limited by a stop 129. The line separating these two regions,where the cable force passes through the pivot axis, represents theplane of equilibrium 130.

The cable force direction or vector is defined by two points: the cablefulcrum 132 near the front of the trap above the door, and cableconnection point 134 where the cable attaches to the set lever 102.Since the location of the cable fulcrum 132 near the door does notchange, the cable force direction varies only with the angle of the setlever. If the cable connection point 134 is in the region of free travel126, the lever is free to move and the cable force causes the lever torotate, allowing the door to close. If the cable connection 134 is inthe region of limited travel 128, the cable force also causes the setlever to rotate, but in the opposite direction, and only until itencounters the stop 129. The result is that, as the set lever 102 ispulled from the “door closed” position through the region of freetravel, the cable force bias is directed to close the trap. As themovement of the set lever continues and passes the balance orequilibrium point, i.e., the “over-center” plane, the force bias ofcable 80 is directed to pull the set lever against the stop 129 and holdthe trap in the open or set state, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In thisset state, the axis of the cable 80 lies below the lever pivot axis 122and the trap is stable so as not to trip the set mechanism 90 should itbe lightly jarred. According to a preferred embodiment, the stop isincorporated into the set lever grip 104, which comes into directcontact with the surface of the platform 92 to establish the open-statebias without a separate stop 129 on the platform.

Upon activation of the over-center set mechanism 90, the lever 102 movesupwardly in the limited travel region 128, away from the stop 129. Whenthe cable axis passes through the lever pivot axis 122, the over-centerpoint or plane of equilibrium 130 is reached and the set mechanism is ina balanced condition, as shown in FIG. 9. As the set lever continues tomove, the set mechanism enters the trip condition in which the set leveris free to travel. In this free travel region 126, the cable axis liesabove the lever pivot axis 122, as shown in FIG. 10.

The magnitude of the open-state bias is determined by the open statebias offset 138 which is the minimum distance, measured perpendicular asshown in FIG. 7, between the pivot axis 122 and the force vector of thecable 80 when the set lever is against the stop. As noted earlier, theforce vector of the cable is defined by the cable fulcrum 132 near thedoor and the point 134 where the cable attaches to the set lever.

The open-state bias offset 138 serves two functions. First, it providesa stable set condition by resisting self-firing and, second, itestablishes the torque required to trip the set mechanism. Thus, thetrip force or tripping torque can be adjusted by adjusting the stopposition, with the tripping torque being equal to the product of thecable force and the open state bias offset. A stop position that setsthe cable force vector closer to the pivot axis 122 results in a lowerrequired trip force while a stop position that sets the cable forcevector farther from the pivot axis results in a higher required tripforce. In the same way, the tripping torque can also be adjusted byraising or lowering the pivot axis as this will also increase ordecrease the open state bias offset, respectively.

Tripping the set mechanism 90 is accomplished by providing sufficienttorque to the set lever 102 to overcome the tripping torque. Accordingto the present invention, because the open-bias torque decreases as themechanism is tripped, mechanism becomes easier to trip as it is moved inthe direction of tripping. This aids the transition between the set andtripped conditions.

Turning to FIG. 11, the trip mechanism 120 includes a trip rod and linkassembly, generally designated by reference numeral 142, movably coupledto a bait pedal 144 that is movably mounted to the base 12 so as to bewithin the animal enclosure area. The trip rod and link assembly 142 hasa link element 146 movably coupled with a trip rod, generally designatedby reference numeral 148. The trip rod 148 has a generally L-shapedconfiguration with a first elongated member 150 generally aligned withthe link element 146 and a second arm 152 extending in a generallyhorizontal direction and engaging with the upper portion 154 of thepedal 144. If desired, the free end of the second arm may be retainedwithin the sidewall 18 by a suitable retainer 153.

The joint, generally designated by reference numeral 156, between thelink element 146 and trip rod 148 is shown as being formed betweenlinked loop portions 158, 160 of the two members. Similarly the jointbetween the link element 146 and the lever arm 116 is effected by linkedloop portions 157, 159 of the two members. Other joint constructionscould also be used, so long as they provide sufficient freedom ofmovement between the trip rod and link, and between the link element andthe lever arm, to effect the over-center action of the set lever 102 andthe collapsible linkage as shown in FIG. 1.

The bait pedal 144 serves as the force input location for theover-center set mechanism 90. The bottom edge 162 of the pedal 144 isrotatably secured to the bottom of the cage by bent crimps 164 which areevenly spaced along the bottom edge 162 and bent around one of the wiresof the wire mesh. The upper portion 154 of the pedal 144 is affixed tothe trip rod.

When an animal enters the animal enclosure, the weight of the animalapplies downward pressure on the upper portion 154 of the bait pedal144, causing the pedal to pivot along its bottom edge 162. This movementcauses the trip rod and link assembly 142 to pull down upon the linkedlooped portion 159 of the set lever 102 a sufficient distance and withsufficient force to initiate rotation of the set lever. Once the setlever has rotated beyond the plane of equilibrium 130, the set leverreaches the region of free travel 126 as tension force transmitted bythe cable, under the action of the torsion spring 74 and the weight ofthe door 46, moves the set lever 102 from the rearward side of the setlever bracket 96 to the forward side thereof. This movement allows thedoor 46 to move from the opened position to the closed position, therebytrapping the animal in the animal enclosure.

A handle 166 is preferably mounted on the set mechanism platform 92 inabout the center of the trap and extends longitudinally with the lengththereof. The channel 106 within the grip 104 is offset relative to thecenter of the set lever 102 so that the cable 80 lies along one side ofthe handle 166.

In order to set the trap 10 from its door c used condition, the trap isfirst placed on the ground or a supporting surface. By grasping the handgrip 104 and lifting it from the roof 14, the set lever 102 can bepivoted from its forward position rearwardly until it passes the pointof equilibrium at which point the grip, in response to the force exertedby the torsion spring 74 through the cable bias, will move easily tocome into abutment with the upper surface of the platform 92 in thelever's rearward position or stop 129, as desired. Rearward movement ofthe lever results in the cable 80 being pulled in a rearward directionto rotate the door 46 on the tabs 48 in an upward direction and set thedoor in a loaded position. Having accomplished this action with onehand, the trap is now set, awaiting the entrance of an animal toactivate the trap.

To entice an animal, into the trap, a suitable bait is inserted into theinterior of the trap behind the pedal 144. When the animal enters thetrap and steps on the pedal 144, the pedal is rotated in a downwarddirection which causes the trip rod and link assembly 142 to pull thetrip rod in a downward direction. This pulls downwardly on the extendedarm 116, crank arm 115 and loop 159 of the set lever 102 which, giventhe shape of the lever, causes the lever to rotate and the U-shapedportion to lift upwardly. Once the plane of equilibrium is passed, thetorsion spring and the weight of the door 46 cause the door to rotate ina downward direction to rapidly close the interior space 70 and trap theanimal within the case 10.

During downward rotation of the door 46, the downwardly biased yoke 60,through the urging of torsion spring 74, presses up against the uppersurface 54 of the door 46 and becomes lodged in the corner created bythe upper edge 64 of the door lock plate 50 and the outer surface 54 ofthe door 45 when the door is in the closed position. Under theseconditions, if the animal tries to open the door, the lower portion 52of the yoke will press against the door lock plate 50 preventing theanimal from rotating the door in an upward direction.

When the user desires to release a trapped animal, the user follows aprocedure similar to setting the trap. Initial rearward movement of thegrip 104 tensions the actuating cable 80 which, because the cable passesunderneath the lower portion 62 of the locking yoke 60, causes the yoke60 to be lifted in an upward direction disengaging from the top edge ofthe door lock plate by the urging of the cable 80. Accordingly, atrapped animal can be released by a person located at the rear of thetrap by lifting the hand grip 104 from the roof past the point ofequilibrium and allowing the set lever 102 to move to its rearwardposition.

As used herein, the term “trip rod and link assembly” is intended tohave its broadest meaning and can include cable or other triggermechanisms to pull the set lever 102 when the pedal 144 is rotated toits downward position. In addition, those skilled in the art canappreciate that the trigger rod could be formed with the link as onepiece, such as by molding. The bait pedal could also be integral withthe rod. Other trip mechanisms with which the animal interacts, as bypulling, could be substituted for pedal 144 and be formed as part of thetrigger rod.

A second embodiment of a trap with an over-center set mechanism inaccordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 12, withthe set lever 170 shown in the “set” condition. The pivot axis isdefined by the two points 172, 174, in upstanding brackets 173 fixedonto the roof 40, while the tensed cable 80 pulls on the set lever 170at the point 178. The set lever 170 is essentially planar and is coupledto the bait pedal 180 with a jointed collapsible linkage 182. When thebait pedal is rotated downwardly, the linkage pulls down on crank arm181 to rotate set lever 170 past over-center to thus close the trap doorin the manner previously described. The trap is set in the same manner.

A third embodiment of the over-center set mechanism of the presentinvention is illustrated in FIG. 13. As shown, this embodiment employs amodified unitary trip rod 184 and a compact set lever 186 with alongitudinally extending grip 188 fitted thereon. The set lever 186 isprovided with integrally formed loops 185 and hooks 187. The loops 185receive the ends 183 of a wire mount 181 affixed onto a sheet metal roof240. The ends 183 are rotatably movable within the loops 185 and providethe rotation axis for the set lever 186.

The set lever 186 and trip rod 184 engage when the trap is set, anddisengage when the trap is tripped. The trip rod 184 has an upperportion 189 with a centrally located dip 191 that is positioned betweenthe hooks 187 when the set lever is in the set position, as shown inFIG. 13. When the door is closed (the trap is tripped), the dip 191 ofthe trip rod 184 rests on the roof 240 under the weight of the trip rodand that of the attached bait pedal 180 and pedal rod 179. In suchcondition, the set lever 186 is not in contact with the trip rod 184 andthe hooks are in a position behind the trip rod 184 and facingrearwardly. The dip 191 holds the upper portion 189 of the trip rod 184off the roof 240 so that the upper portion can be caught by the hooks toset the trap.

As the set lever 186 is lifted from the door closed position to set thetrap, the hooks 187, which are offset from the rotation axis defined bythe ends 183, rotate from their position behind the trip rod, through apath where they contact the upper portion 189 of the trip rod on eitherside of the dip 191 and lift the trip rod 184 into the set positionabove the roof 240. In the set position, the trip rod supports the baitpedal 180 above the floor of the trap. When force is applied to the baitpedal 180, the trip rod pulls downwardly on the hooks 187, supplyingtorque to the set lever 186 via the offset of the hooks from therotation axis, to overcome the open-state bias and trip the trap. Thedistance between the loops and the roof is greater than the length ofthe hooks so that the hooks clear the roof as the set lever rotates. Asthe set lever continues through its motion, the hooks disengage with thetrip rod, allowing the dip of the trip rod, to return to rest againstthe roof.

In a fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the modified unitary trip rod184 and wire mount 181 of the FIG. 13 embodiment are used with a setlever 190 that is attached directly to the trip rod such that the setlever and trip rod are always engaged. However, engagement of the “knee”portion 192 of the set lever with the ends 183 of the wire mount 181only occurs when the trap is set. Specifically, from the trippedposition in which the door is closed, the set lever 190 is pulledrearwardly so that the knee portion 192 engages the ends 183 of the wiremount 181. Once engaged thereon, the set lever is rotated into theover-center set position as in the other embodiments and shown in FIG.14.

A two-door-opening embodiment of the trap according to the presentinvention, generally designated by reference numeral 200, shown in FIGS.15A-18. According to the two-door-opening embodiment, a second door 246is provided opposite the first door 46 so that both ends of the trap canbe opened. Advantageously, the same trap can be operated as aone-door-opening trap, providing the user with a two-in-one design thatprovides the respective advantages and functionality of both one-doorand two-door traps in a single unit.

To control movement of the second door 246, a second cable assemblygenerally designated by reference numeral 278, having a second cable 280is secured between the set lever 102 and a point of attachment,generally designated by reference numeral 282, on the second door (seeFIG. 17). To allow the single movement of the set lever from one side ofthe bracket 96 to the other side to activate both cable assemblies 78,278, a cable guide mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral205, is mounted on the top of the trap between the set platform 92 andthe front top edge 207 of the trap. The cable guide mechanism 205 altersthe direction of the second cable 280, turning it 180 degrees back uponitself so that, conceptually, the second cable has identifiable“portions”. A door portion 281 of the second cable extends from thesecond door 246, past the set lever 102, to the cable guide mechanism205. At the guide mechanism 205 the second cable 280 bends 180 degreesto define a curved U-turn portion 283 which then extends into a setlever portion 285 of the second cable (see FIG. 17). The set leverportion 285 of the second cable runs generally parallel with the doorportion 281 thereof and ends at the attachment point within the grip 104on the set lever 102. These “portions” of the second cable areidentified herein for explanation purposes and do not representparticular lengths within the cable itself. Rather, the “portions” shiftalong the cable depending upon whether the trap is set or tripped.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 15A-18, the cableguide mechanism 205 is embodied as a wire-form hook 211. Othermechanisms may also be used to effect the 180 degree U-turn such aspulleys, guide tubes, spools, a cam, etc., as would be understood bypersons of ordinary skill in the art.

The wire-form hook 211 forms a channel 213 having an opening 215 facingthe front edge 207 of the trap, and away from the second door 246, and aclosed face 217 nearest the set lever 102. The second cable 280 isreceived within the channel 213, passing from an entry side thereof,generally designated by reference numeral 221, to an exit side generallydesignated by reference numeral 223. When the trap is set, the secondcable is tensioned against the closed face 217.

Proper cable positioning is preferably augmented by the inclusion of acable management component on the roof of the trap. According to thepreferred embodiment shown, the cable management component is embodiedas slots 225 respectively formed in the mounting bases 266 of the handle166. The slots 225 extend longitudinally through each of the mountingbases 266 and are in substantially linear alignment with one another,with the point 282 at which the second cable 280 attaches to the seconddoor 246, and with the entry side 221 of the cable guide mechanism 205By this linear alignment, the second cable 280 extends from the point ofattachment 232 on the second door 246, through the aligned handle slots225 and then to the entry side 221 of the cable guide mechanism 205 inan essentially straight line that is substantially parallel with thelongitudinal edges 287 of the trap. From the entry side 221, the cablecurves over the closed face 217 of the guide mechanism and then out theexit side 223 thereof. The exit side 223 of the guide mechanism 205 ispreferably in substantial alignment with the point at which the secondcable connects to the set lever so that the door and set lever portions281, 285 of the second cable run generally parallel, with one another.The second cable can be attached to the set lever by an eyelet (notshown) similar to eyelet 86 used to attach the first cable.

The cable management component may alternatively be embodied as astructure separate from the handle, such as an eye-hook or otherring-forming structure through which the second cable may be passed toensure proper alignment thereof.

In the unset condition shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C, the set lever102 is adjacent the first door 46 and the cables 80, 280 are nottensioned. The second cable 280 passes from the point of attachment 282on the second door 246, through the handle slots 225 and then into thecurved portion 283 where the second cable doubles back to its connectionpoint on the set lever 102.

To set the trap for two-door-opening operation, the curved portion 283of the second cable is looped over the cable guide mechanism 211 toplace the second cable in the channel 213 as shown in FIG. 16. Both trapdoors 46, 246 are then configured to be opened when the trap is set bymoving the set lever toward the second, door 246. The first door 46 isopened through direct tensioning of the first cable 80 which isconnected to the first door 46 and movable with the set lever as hasalready been described. The second door 246 is similarly lifted bytensioning of the second cable 280 which draws the second cable throughthe cable guide channel 213, from the entry side 221 to the exit side223 thereof, as the set lever is moved away from the cable guide 205 tothe set position. The trap as set in the two-door-opening configurationis shown in FIG. 17.

The two-door trap can also be used as a one-door trap, providing theuser with versatility in operation. For one-door-opening operation, thetrap is taken from the unset position shown in FIGS. 15A-15C, in whichthe curved portion 283 of the second cable is not engaged with the cableguide mechanism 205, to the position shown in FIG. 18 by moving the setlever 102 toward the second door 246. Because the second cable is notengaged, movement of the set lever 102 opens only the first door 46while the second door 246 remains closed.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theillustrated embodiments described herein. Modifications and variationsof the above described embodiments of the present invention are possibleas appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the aboveteachings.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An animal trap comprising: an animal enclosurehaving a roof and first and second animal access openings into aninterior sized to receive an animal to be trapped; a first door movablymounted at the first access opening, the first door operative in anopened position to reveal the first animal access opening and in aclosed position to block the first animal access opening; a second doormovably mounted at the second access opening, the second door operativein an opened position to reveal the second animal access opening and ina closed position to block the second animal access opening; a firstelongated member having first and second ends, the first end beingsecured to the first door; a second elongated member having first andsecond ends, the first end of the second elongated member being securedto the second door; said trap configured to operate as either aone-door-opening trap with said first elongated member acting upon thefirst door to open said first door, or as a two-door-opening trap withsaid first and second elongated members acting upon said first andsecond doors for opening thereof, respectively; a guide mechanismmounted to the animal enclosure and configured to engage said secondelongated member when said trap is set for two-door-opening operation; aset mechanism having a set position and a tripped position, the secondends of both of the elongated members being secured to said setmechanism, movement of said set mechanism to the set position exertingforce on at least said first elongated member to open at least saidfirst door; and a trip mechanism associated with the animal enclosureand configured to actuate movement of the set mechanism from the setposition to the tripped position in response to an animal inside theanimal, enclosure, said movement of the set mechanism from the setposition to the tripped position releasing tension on at least the firstelongated member to enable at least the first door to move from theopened position to the closed position thereby trapping the animal inthe animal enclosure.
 22. The animal trap of claim 21, wherein movementof said set mechanism to the set position exerts force on both saidfirst elongated member and said second elongated member to open bothsaid first door and said second door, respectively, when the trap isoperating as a two-door-opening trap.
 23. The animal trap of claim 22,wherein said trip mechanism, upon actuating movement of the setmechanism from the set position to the tripped position, which releasestension on both the first elongated member and the second elongatedmember, initiates closure of both doors substantially simultaneously.24. The animal trap of claim 21, wherein said guide mechanism is awire-form hook having an opening facing the first door and a closed facenearest the set mechanism, said second elongated member entering saidopening and being held against said closed face when said secondelongated member is tensioned between its first and second ends.
 25. Theanimal trap of claim 21, wherein said set mechanism includes: a setlever bracket mounted on the roof transverse to a longitudinal directionof the animal enclosure; a set lever supported on said bracket so as tobe movable between said set and tripped positions, said second ends ofsaid elongated members being secured to said set lever.
 26. The animaltrap of claim 21, wherein said trap further includes at least oneelongated member management element mounted on the top of the trap todirect the second elongated member toward the guide mechanism.
 27. Theanimal trap of claim 26, wherein said trap includes a longitudinallyextending handle having handle bases mounted on said set lever bracket,said elongated member management element including slots formed in saidhandle bases and extending longitudinally therethrough and in alignmentwith one another to receive said second elongated member which passestherethrough.
 28. The animal trap of claim 27, wherein said slots aresubstantially in longitudinal alignment with a point at which saidsecond elongated member is secured to the second door.
 29. The animaltrap of claim 21, wherein said set mechanism is pivotally movable. 30.The animal trap of claim 21, wherein said first and second elongatedmembers are cables.
 31. An animal trap comprising: an animal enclosurehaving a roof and first and second animal access openings into aninterior sized to receive an animal to be trapped, said trap configuredto operate as either a one-door-opening trap or as a two-door-openingtrap; a first door movably mounted at the first access opening, thefirst door operative in an opened position to reveal the first animalaccess opening and in a closed position to block the first animal accessopening; a second door movably mounted at the second access opening, thesecond door operative in an opened position to reveal the second animalaccess opening and in a closed position to block the second animalaccess opening; a first elongated member having first and second ends,the first end being secured to the first door and acting upon the firstdoor when the trap is configured to operate as either theone-door-opening trap or the two-door-opening trap; a second elongatedmember having first and second ends, the first end of the secondelongated member being secured to the second door but operative to actupon the second door only when the trap is configured to operate as thetwo-door-opening trap; a set mechanism having a set position and atripped position, the second ends of both of the elongated members beingsecured to said set mechanism, movement of said set mechanism to the setposition exerting force on said first elongated member to open saidfirst door when the trap is configured to operate as theone-door-opening trap or as the two-door-opening trap, and movement ofsaid set mechanism to the set position exerting force on said secondelongated member to open said second door only when the trap isconfigured to operate as the two-door-opening trap; and a trip mechanismassociated with the animal enclosure and configured to actuate movementof the set mechanism from the set position to the tripped position inresponse to an animal inside the animal enclosure, said movement of theset mechanism from the set position to the tripped position releasingtension on the first elongated member to enable the first door to movefrom the opened position to the closed position when the trap isconfigured to operate as the one-door-opening trap or as thetwo-door-opening trap, and movement of said set mechanism from the setposition to the tripped position releasing tension on the secondelongated member to enable the second door to move from the openedposition to the closed position only when the trap is configured tooperate as the two-door-opening trap.
 32. The animal trap of claim 31,further comprising a guide mechanism mounted to the animal enclosure andconfigured to engage said second elongated member when said trap is setfor two-door-opening operation.
 33. The animal trap of claim 32, whereinsaid second elongated member is a cable and said guide mechanism is acable guide mounted on the roof of the animal enclosure and configuredto engage with and change a direction of said cable when said trap isset for two-door-opening operation.
 34. The animal trap claim 33,wherein said cable guide is a wire-form hook having an opening facingthe first door and a closed face nearest the set mechanism, said cableentering said opening and being held against said closed face whentensioned between its first and second ends.
 35. The animal trap ofclaim 34, wherein said trap further includes at least one cablemanagement element mounted on the top of the trap to direct the cabletoward the cable guide.
 36. The animal trap of claim 35, wherein saidtrap includes a longitudinally extending handle having handle basesmounted on said set lever bracket, said cable management elementincluding slots formed in said handle bases and extending longitudinallytherethrough and in alignment with one another to receive said cablewhich passes therethrough.
 37. The animal trap of claim 36, wherein saidslots are substantially in longitudinal alignment with a point at whichsaid cable is secured to the second door.
 38. The animal trap of claim32, wherein said first and second elongated members are flexiblemembers.
 39. The animal trap of claim 38, wherein said guide mechanismis mounted on the roof of the animal enclosure and is configured toengage with and change a direction of said flexible second elongatedmember when said trap is set for two-door-opening operation.
 40. Theanimal trap of claim 31, wherein said trip mechanism initiates closureof both doors substantially simultaneously when the trap is operating asa two-door-opening trap.